An Oklahoma man’s Christmas Day target practice ended in tragedy when a stray bullet struck and killed an elderly woman sitting on her front porch while holding a baby, authorities said.
Cody Wayne Adams, 33, has been charged with first-degree manslaughter following the incident in Meridian, Oklahoma, where he was allegedly firing his new Christmas present — a Glock 45 handgun — at a Red Bull can in his backyard when one of the rounds traveled to a neighboring property with fatal consequences, according to court documents obtained by ABC News.
The victim, whose name has not been publicly released, was seated on a love seat on her covered front porch in Comanche when the shooting occurred around 3:15 p.m. on December 25. She was holding a baby in her left arm when the bullet struck her right upper arm before entering her chest cavity. Family members reported hearing multiple rounds being fired from the north of their residence in the minutes before the tragedy.
In a particularly haunting detail from the affidavit, the woman had just commented that “someone got a new gun for Christmas” before saying “ouch” and collapsing. She died shortly after being struck.
A Backyard Range Without Proper Safety Measures
What makes this case especially troubling? Investigators found that Adams’ property lacked suitable backstops for target shooting, unlike other properties in the area that had proper safety measures in place. Neighbors told law enforcement they heard approximately 20 rounds being fired during Adams’ impromptu target session.
Family members of the victim described hearing five to seven rounds fired over several minutes before the fatal shot. The woman was struck while in what should have been the safety of her own front porch, with an infant in her arms.
When deputies responded to Adams’ residence, he allegedly admitted to firing his newly purchased Glock 45 — a Christmas gift to himself — at a Red Bull can positioned in his backyard, according to the investigation documents.
The charge of first-degree manslaughter reflects the alleged reckless disregard for safety that led to the woman’s death, though Adams apparently had no intention to harm anyone.
This Christmas Day tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with firearm ownership — a moment of recreational target practice transformed into a lifetime of grief for one family, and potential prison time for another.
